Deal Signed On Black Sea Grain Exports, UN Says Up & Running 'In Weeks'

A UN-brokered agreement to exports grain from Ukrainian Black Sea ports has been signed in Istanbul, Turkey with hopes that the deal can ease global food security and supply pressures. The deal is the first diplomatic agreement reached involving Russian and Ukrainian parties since the invasion launched in February.

• Ukraine and Russia did not sign the same deal, instead each side signed parallel deals with the UN.
• The UN has estimated that the deal will ensure the monthly export of 5mn tonnes of grain from Ukraine. A senior UN official stated that it will take 'weeks' to see ships freely enter and exit Ukraine's Black Sea ports.
• Natasha Bertrand at CNN: "The agreement will include three Ukrainian ports, including Odesa, and will involve a Joint Coordination Center established in Istanbul."
• WSJ reports that a UN official stated that the deal is in place for 120 days and can be renewed.
• As well as Ukrainian grain, the deal will also see exports of Russian grain and fertilizer from Black Sea ports resume.
• Reuters: US envoy to the UN says they hope the deal on grain exports 'will mitigate the crisis Russia has caused'. Reuters also reports comments from an unnamed senior US official stating that 'China is stockpiling grain and we want them to contribute more for humanitarian purposes'.